Collapsible trestle



NOV. 15, c EDWARDS QOLLAPSIBLE TRESTLE Original Filed Nov. 27, 1936 Attorney.

Patented Nov. 15, 1938 UNITED 'S M PATE OFFICE Application November- 27, 1936, Serial No. 112,908 Renewed April 7; 1938 4 Claims. (c1. so4 5) This invention relatesto certain new. and useful improvements in collapsible trestles, the :peculiarities of which will be hereinafter fully describedand claimed.

:More specifically my plank connecting opposite pairs of corner brackets on. their supporting, legs.

The main objects of my invention areto provide means first, for securely engaging each end penters and others, is practically indestructible in ordinarycircumstances, and can be readily, taken apart, occupies small space in transportation, and can be quickly set up for, use.

In' the accompanying drawing in whichlike reference numerals indicate corresponding parts: Fig. 1 represents a side elevation ofa trestle embodying my invention;

Fig; la, an enlarged detail on the section line Ia,la, Fig. l. i e

Fig. 2, an end view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3, an enlarged detail in isometric projection of a .pair of supporting legs and their connecting corner brackets;

Fig. 4, a face view of a corner bracket as stamped from metal plate in its fiat condition before bending at right angles on the dotted lines; and

Fig. 5, a vertical edge view of the same in said flat condition.

Referring to the drawing, the numerals Il designate a pair of supporting legs of angle iron or other suitable shape, disposed substantially vertical in a transverse plane and slightly inclined in longitudinal planes as desired. On the top end of these legs is securely mounted by rivets or otherwise, corner brackets consisting of flat plate arms 2 and 3, at right angles to each other in transverse and longitudinal position respectively, from the meeting corner 4. The longitudinal arm is preferably at a higher level than the transverse arm to allow the longitudinal connecting plank 5 to project as shown in Fig. 1, as is usual in such trestles; but they may be otherwise disposed. Although in different horizontal planes, both these arms have definite downward extensions 8-1 in planes meeting at right angles on said corner 4 to forma downward angle extension of said arms that corresponds to the angle leg that is secured thereto by rivets or otherimprovements relate .mainly to connecting corner brackets on sup- 7 wise. The brackets are thus'rigidly secured to their respectivelegs. Their matching transverse arms 2-2 are pivotally connected by a removable bolt 8'. Spaced holes in said transverse arms allow of varying the transverse distance between .5

the longitudinal arms 3.3"of the brackets so as to receive planks of different width. A wide plank may thus be used as a bench by a carpenter or plumber.

This cornerbracket is preferably made from rolled plate 1 metal '(Fig. 5). that can be cut to the desired shape and the holes punched by stampingdies; then'bent at right angles to the dotted line Fig. 4, to right orleft, to form the right or left bracket shown in Fig, 3.

-In its flat. shape shown in; Figs. 4 and 5, the two arms ,Z- and 3, point in opposite directions in ,the same plane but unaligned with each other,

and are connected by an integral lateral extension from the inner ends of saidarms, which extension is common to both the arms. The portions oisaid extension on opposite sides of a medial dotted line, form flanges 6 and 'I of a right angle'extension when the flat shape is bent on this line. so as to adapt the bracket for fasteningto the respective supporting leg angles ll' as shown in Fig. 2. .The arms 2. and 3 respectively integral with the flanges 6 and I, are thus disposed in planes at right angles to each other, the arm 2 being adapted for pivotal connection with the corresponding transverse arm 2' oi. the opposite bracket as previously described, and the arm ,3 being disposed longitudinal to the trestle andadapted for supporting the plank interposed between arms 3-3. w

The bracket may be otherwise made, but investigation indicates the stated method as being cheaper and preferable forproduction in quality.

The horizontal arm 3 is flat like the pivoted arm 2, and angle extensions 9'9 are riveted or otherwise secured to the respective arms 3-3 which are disposed parallel and opposite each other, so that their horizontal flanges support said interposed plank 5, while the vertical flanges, slightly inclined inward (Figs. 2 and 3) grip the side edges of the plank. Such gripping engagement is supplemented by pointed rivets l0 (Fig. 3) having shoulders fitting against the ,inner face of said vertical flanges and the reduced shank extending through the flange and adjacent arm and headed on the outside in the usual manner. Thus two or more pointed rivets in each of the arms 33' secure the extensions 99 rigidly to the arms and also provide positive engaging means for the plank.

Swinging the legs |-l' on the pivot bolt 8 toward each other, will widen the space between the angle extensions 99' for placing the plank between them. Then, spreading said legs will force the points I 0 into positive engagement with the plank. The legs are thus braced outward by a spreader bar I I, pivoted to one leg and having notch-es near the other end, one of which engages a stud pin l2 in the opposite leg, as shown in Fig. 2. A similar notched bar II near the remote ends of the extensions 9-9 also serves as a connector to hold the adjacent points Ill engaged with the plank after they have been forced into it by hammer blows or otherwise.

Fig. 1a shows this bar H engaged with the stud pin 12 in the horizontal flange of the adjacent angle extension.

Fig. 3 shows the preferred construction having the upper faces of the horizontal flange of the angle extensions 9-9', and the adjacent top of the lower .plate arms 2.-2, disposed substantially in the same plane so as tobe even with each other and thus contact with the bottom of the inserted plank .so that both. assist in supporting it.

The legs may be lengthened as indicated in Fig. 1, by bolting an angle or other piece to said legs. In using such a trestle on a sloping roof for instance, one of the legs of each .pair is lengthenedgas much as required by the slope.

A diagonal brace 13 from the end of an angle extension down to the adjacent leg (Fig. 1) may be used when the legs are of such length that stiifening them, or the middle of the plank, is

" desirable.

When collapsing the trestle, the spreader bar H and connectorbar ll are disengaged from their stud pins, and the 'pivot bolt 8 removed in-each pair, so that the dismantled members take up comparatively'little room in transportation or storage' Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, :is:

1. A collapsible trestle having in combination, a vertically disposed angle'iron leg, a horizontal angle" iron support for a plank, and a connecting corner bracket consisting of a flat rolled plate having arms bent at right angles to each other, one arm being above the other arm and riveted to the vertical flange of said angle support so that the horizontal flange of said support is even with the lower arm of the said bracket, and said lower arm having spaced holes for variably pivoting to a matching arm of an opposite bracket, and a downward angle extension from said arms riveted to said angle leg whereby said leg and horizontal angle support are rigidly connected substantially as described.

2. A collapsible trestle having in combination, horizontalparallel opposing angle supports for an inserted. plank, means for pivotally adjusting the space between said supports to grip the inserted plank, and a notched bar pivoted under the end of one support and having notches near its other end variably engaging a stud pin projecting below the opposite support to tie the ends of said supports in gripping position, substantially as described.

3; In a collapsible trestle the herein described pair of corner brackets having arms respectively pivoted together disposed transversely to the pair of corner brackets having flat metal plate arms with spaced holes for adjustably pivoting together transversely to the trestle and each bracket characterized by a-plank-supporting arm at right angles to and higher up than its transverse arm, and both arms of respective brackets having integral downward extensions forming flanges at right angles to each other in planes meeting on a cornerand adapted to be secured to respective supporting legs, substantiallyas described.

CHARLES L. EDWARDS. 

